After School Pro

Bringing home your new puppy is very exciting and a lot of fun. But before you jump in head first and run out and get your first dog, there are some things you need to consider about your home. Provided that you have done your research and know the best bread and age of dog or puppy that is best for you, your family, and your lifestyle, there are still some things that you need to take care of around the house before you bring the newest family member home. Brining home a new puppy is a lot like bringing home a new baby. You need to get your house ready, stock up on supplies, and be prepared for some sleepless nights! In the end, however, having a dog is a wonderful experience and can be very rewarding if you do it right.

Everyone has heard of baby proofing your home when your little one becomes mobile, well you also need to puppy proof your home! That little puppy is going to be into everything. And I’ve never met a puppy who didn’t just love to chew on anything and everything they could get their little mouth around. Puppies can wreak havoc and are capable of mass destruction. A great idea is to get down on the floor and have a look around. You need to make sure that you hide all exposed electrical wires to your computer, TV, stereo, etc. Another thing you want to think about is your furniture. Your puppy may decide the legs of your dining room table are excellent chew toys, or they may make a great game out of de-stuffing your couch cushions. If there are antiques in your house, you may want to put them in a room that does not have puppy access. If you are really concerned about the state of your belongings you should seriously consider crate training your newest family member. While it might seem cruel, trust me it is not, and it will save you a lot of time, money, and heartache. Coming home to a house that has been destroyed by little puppy teeth and paws is not fun.

There are a few important items that you will need to make sure you have on hand before you bring your pup home. You should stock up on food, toys, treats, and hygiene products like puppy-safe shampoo and cleaners. If you are going to crate train, you need to get an age and size appropriate crate and put it in a safe place. You should also make sure to have a dog bed or some specified place where you want your new puppy to sleep from the get-go. It is a great idea to get outside in your yard and make sure your yard is secure and patch up any holes that the little one could escape through. You will also need to have a leash, a collar, and a veterinarian lined up for the first round of shots you will need to get for your dog.

Being a responsible pet owner is a lot of common sense. A puppy can bring countless hours of fun and good times as long as you are prepared and ready for the new arrival.

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One of the most important things in your dog’s life, besides you, is his or her doggy bowl. Dog bowls literally come in every shape imaginable and every color of the rainbow. This may not sound like a very big decision to make when it comes to supplying your pet with all the necessities, but it can be if you purchase the wrong type of bowl for your dog. Since dogs come in many different sizes, it is only natural that there is a dog bowl designed for every type of dog.

The size of your dog will help determine the size and shape of your dog bowl. While the style of bowl is really a matter of personal preference, the size and height of the bowl should be geared specifically toward the size of your dog. Smaller dogs will need a bowl that is smaller and closer to the ground while a larger dog will need a bigger bowl, but may also need the bowl set in a riser for better digestion of his or her food. It really all depends on how tall your dog is and how much food they are recommended to eat.

You can literally find dog bowls anywhere and they really can be made out of anything; however, it is important to match the size of the bowl with the size of the dog. When searching for the perfect dog bowl you may want to start your search online because the online boutique will have a larger selection of both sizes and styles. If your dog needs a riser, these can also be purchased online or in your local pet supply store. When searching for the best design for your dog, it may be a good idea to match the décor of the bowl and riser with the décor in your home.

There are also dog bowls that can be customized to have your dogs name printed or engraved into it, and this type of customization is usually very inexpensive. It can also give your dog something to recognize if you have more than one pet. There are also many bowl sets available that come with both water and a food bowl. Some online boutiques even have bowl sets that include a riser in your choice of sizes. It is important to remember that the easier it is for your pet to reach their food the happier they will be, and the easier it will be for them to digest.

The road to a happy pet always starts with a healthy pet. While there are many more important aspects to a dog’s health, having the right food bowl can solve more problems than you might imagine. It is a relatively simple thing to purchase the correct food bowl for your dog if you take its size and eating habits into consideration. If you are looking for a more unique type of bowl or a riser to fit a specific décor, it may be better to search online for these products. No matter where you purchase your new pet bowls, always remember that the size of the bowl should be determined by the size of the dog.

SwankPets
3525 Lebon Drive, Unit A.
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 272-9882

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The old saying goes, “A dog is a man’s best friend.” So why does our best friend get pawned off on a friend or relative or sent off to be boarded at the vet’s office when we go on vacation. No more! You do not have to leave your precious dog at home when you travel. With a little bit of planning, your dog can go with you on your next road trip.

If this is your first road trip with your dog, I recommend keeping the trip fairly short. I would not try to make a 18-hour car ride your dogs first introduction to car travel. You should also make sure that your dog has a little experience riding in the car. Just like people, some dogs get carsick, so make sure to introduce your pup to car rides early on and make sure that you know in advance if your dog is a good candidate for car travel.

Just like when you go on a trip, you pack your bags and get your vehicle ready to go, the same goes for traveling with your dog. You need to make a little extra room in your car that is going to be home base for your pooch for the duration of your trip. You should put your dog’s bed in your car, or just give him his very own blanket to curl up on. If you are using a new blanket, put it down near your dogs bed for a few days before you plan to leave so your dogs sleeping area in the car has all of the scents of home. If your dog is small enough and your car is big enough, it is also a good idea to take your dogs crate with you. The crate will make your dog feel right at home in the car. That would be the equivalent of us taking our entire bedroom with us when we travel.

You also need to pack your dogs necessities to take with you. The key things to remember are enough food for the duration of the trip along with any treats you normally give him or her. You will also need to pack up a food and water bowl. Remember that your pup will need to at least have some water while you are on the road so bring some water with you or make sure you plan your stops somewhere where you can fill up your dog’s water bowl for a quick drink during a bathroom break. You will also need to bring your dog’s leash and harness if you use one. It is very important to respect leash laws, especially when you are away from home, so make sure that you keep your dog’s leash with you at all times.

Before you get on the road, make sure that you map out your route and have stops designated where you can let your dog out and use the bathroom and run off some energy if need be. Rest stops usually have plenty of room for little Fido to roam around. Be sure to always clean up after your pup when he does his business. If you plan on staying at a hotel, be sure to make reservations ahead of time and call ahead to double check their pet policy. A large number of hotels are very pet friendly these days, so finding a place to stay should be easy and affordable.

With a little planning and some thoughtful packing, you can easily take your best four-legged friend on your next road trip, and really take all of the comforts of home right along with you.